Alcohol & Drug Counselor

MnTC; Duluth (MN); On-site; USD 61,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge is seeking a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) to deliver treatment services to clients under DHS guidelines. The role focuses on assessments, treatment planning, counseling, and collaborative care with referral sources and social services.

Responsibilities include maintaining high-quality records, discharging clients properly, and ensuring compliance with licensure and ethical standards while supporting clients’ recovery journeys.

Qualifications

• Must hold Minnesota LADC license with ongoing continuing education.
• Meet licensure requirements set by the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy and state statutes.
• Minimum age 21 and at least one year of freedom from problematic substance use.

Responsibilities

• Assess clients within five days of service initiation using ASAM criteria.
• Develop individualized treatment plans with goals and methods; update as needed.
• Provide individual counseling and group therapy for co-occurring disorders.
• Maintain accurate case records of treatment activities and assessments.
• Participate in weekly treatment team meetings and coordinate with referrals and social services.
• Contribute to program quality and licensure compliance.
• Complete discharge summaries for clients at end of services.
• Adhere to federal/state statutes and professional ethics.

Skills

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Compassion

Organizational skills

Education

LADC license

Job description

Be the backbone of hope and healing.At Minnesota Adult & Teen Challenge, every role matters in helping people overcome addiction and find a new path forward. Whether you’re working directly with clients or supporting behind the scenes, your contributions make recovery possible. In return, we offer a values-driven workplace, supportive managers, and opportunities to grow. That commitment has earned us recognition from Newsweek as a Best Addiction Treatment Center and seven straight Star Tribune Top Workplace awards.

Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC)

$5,000 Hiring Incentive!

About the Role

As an Alcohol and Drug Counselor, you’ll play a central role in delivering treatment services and making sure every client receives the care required by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS). Working with clients individually and in groups, you’ll help them identify and work through challenges related to substance use, mental health, emotional well-being, and family relationships, supporting meaningful, lasting personal growth.

What You’ll Do

• Assess clients: Complete a comprehensive assessment and assessment summary of each client’s substance use within five calendar days of service initiation, using ASAM criteria.
• Build treatment plans: Develop individualized treatment plans that outline treatment goals, specific methods for addressing identified problems, referral resources, and client goals, and update them throughout the course of treatment.
• Counsel and facilitate groups: Provide individual counseling and group therapy for clients with co-occurring substance use and mental health conditions. Lead groups on addiction and recovery, and deliver lecture-style psychoeducation on related topics.
• Document care: Maintain accurate, timely, and professional case records for your caseload, including all treatment activities, services, and assessments of substance use and mental health.
• Collaborate: Participate in weekly treatment team meetings to review client progress, and maintain ongoing communication with referral sources, probation officers, and social service agencies.
• Support program quality: Help evaluate and refine program design to meet licensure requirements and client needs.
• Close out treatment: Complete discharge summaries for each client at the end of services.
• Uphold standards: Comply with all federal and state statutes, DHS regulations, and the ethical standards of the profession.

What You Bring

• Current Minnesota Alcohol and Drug Counselor license (LADC), with ongoing continuing education to maintain it
• Ability to meet licensure requirements set by the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT) and staff requirements under Minnesota Statutes §245G.11
• At least 21 years of age
• At least one year of freedom from problematic substance use
• Comfort and compassion working with people facing life-controlling challenges, including addiction and mental health conditions
• Strong organizational and time-management skills with close attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with clients, staff, and leadership
• Alignment with MnTC’s culture of honor and core values: compassion, honor, respect, integrity, servanthood, and trust

Physical Requirements

The following are representative of the physical demands of this role:

• Stand and walk frequently throughout the shift
• Climb multiple flights of stairs several times per shift
• Lift up to 15 pounds

Target Compensation (Negotiable based on Qualifications)

LADC: $61,000-$65,000

ADC-T: $57,000-$61,000

We seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool in order to successfully meet our mission of helping every Minnesotan find help and healing from addiction.

Mn Adult & Teen Challenge is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate based on any category protected by federal, state or applicable laws.

Reasonable accommodation is provided upon request.

Qualifications

Motivations

Preferred

Ability to Make an Impact : Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Licenses & Certifications

Required

LADC

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.